The Fire Danger Period will begin at 01.00am on Monday 23 November 2020 for the following municipalities in District 22 in CFA’s North East Region:
- Shire of Moira
- City of Greater Shepparton
- Shire of Strathbogie
The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Victoria released on 31 August identified potential for reduced risk of campaign bushfires in East Gippsland for the 2020/21 season.
Over the past six months, Victoria has recorded close to average rainfall.
While areas in the far south-west received rainfall well above average in recent weeks, there are pockets of Victoria that still received below-average rainfall.
For example, in eastern parts of the state September rainfall ranged from ‘much below average’ to ‘lowest on record’.
From November to December, we can expect above-average rainfall across Victoria due to the influence of La Niña, particularly across the northern parts and mountain regions.
Considering the outlook and current conditions, the fire season has the potential to be a grassfire-dominated season, with shorter-duration fires in grass and dry forests during hotter and windier days.
CFA reminds Victorians not to be complacent as an average fire season in this state can still be a bad one.
CFA District 22 Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Tony Owen said while there are patches of green in some parts of the district, grass is mostly well-cured and there is an abundance of fuel.
“Even with further rain, grass and bush will continue to dry and the fire potential is further heightened by increased fuel loads and warmer weather over the next three months,” he said.
“Ensure you mitigate the risk for bushfire on your property sooner rather than later and ensure your bushfire survival plan is understood by all family members.
“Reducing fuel loads will ensure if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading.”
“While CFA and our partner agencies Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria are doing everything we can to prepare for the bushfire season, we look to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.”
ACFO Owen said there was still a short window of opportunity to clean up your property if you haven’t already done so.
“People need to be aware that if using fire to clean up around their properties they need to register these on 1800 668 511. So far this year, out-of-control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have already caused unnecessary callouts to brigades,” ACFO Owen said.
“You should not burn-off when winds are high or high winds are forecast – not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards.
